Online Journal of Art and Design, volume 1, issue 2, 2013 EMBEDDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN 3D ANIMATED ENVIRONMENT DESIGN FOR SHORT MOVIE Zahari Hamidon Kong Ho Abdullah Mohd Noor ABSTRACT Visual effects are commonly referred to as Visual F/X or VFX, which comprise the various computerized processes by which images are created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action video. Visual effects involve the integration of live action footage and computer-generated imagery to create virtual environments, which appear like 3- dimensional realistic space, but would be costly to produce as models and/or simply impossible to capture on film. Visual effects, using computer-generated imagery (CGI), have become increasingly popular in big-budget movie making, but also have recently been accessible to the amateur filmmakers with the introduction of affordable animation and compositing software. This study will observe and evaluate the digital process of composing images and the post-production techniques for integrating 3D animated character in different 3D environment within cell animation technique. The 3D characters are rendered in green screen to merge with 3D environments design. This technique is accomplished through the 3D animation and motion graphics software. Finally, this paper will discuss the overall production efficiency in terms of the production pipeline, psychographic research and creativity involved in visual exploration. This study will also touch on the effect of how the audience is impacted by the aforementioned integrated processes. Keywords: Visual Effects, 3D Animation, Digital compositing, Psychographic research on 3D short movie INTRODUCTION Historically motion picture exist in early 1800s. Brinkmann (2008:5) stated that motion picture photography came about in late 1800s and the desire to be able to continue this sort of image combination brought about the development of specialized hardware to expedite the process. Optical printers were built which could selectively combine multiple pieces of film and optical compositing was born. Since then, the technique evolved, early examples of optical compositing can be found in the 1933 film King Kong (reported by Brinkmann, 2008:6). 12 Online Journal of Art and Design, volume 1, issue 2, 2013 Visual Effects (Vfx) plays important roles in enhancing the sense of motion (termed by Krasner, 2008:2) in most of the movie industry. Visual effects involved two techniques between live action and cell animation that are merged in digital composition, normally in post production. Successful movie such as Avatar by James Cameroon at first was involved in advance technology far enough to commit the vast resources required – reputedly near the $300 million mark – to bring it to the screen (Evans, 2010:40). The main constraints in producing good movies include the budget, technology and human resources. It is a bit risky to invest on production for stunning movies but with low impact to audience due to the effect of its turnover. Evans (2010:40) stated about the successful of Avatar, after earning $71 million on its opening weekend in late December, James Cameron’s Avatar had grossed over $1 billion by early January, making it the most successful films ever. VISUAL EFFECTS AND ANIMATION DEFINITION AND PROCESS Visual effects (VFx) are closely related to animation where motion designers tend to combine technique, animation and VFx through digital compositing. Visual effects (commonly shortened to Visual F/X or VFX) are the processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or simply impossible to capture on film (Wikipaedia, 2012). In application of visual effects to the scene will also involve cost and time. Designers have to perform two important task; rotoscoping and tracking in digital compositing process. Rotoscoping, or masking, is the basis of compositing. It is the process of drawing a mask around an element in a frame or sequence of frames. Tracking is the process of matching a foreground-element's motion to that of the background. (Wikibooks, 2011) The visual effects can also be applied through cell animation. This is due to the definition of animation which stated as the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways.(Wikipedia, 26 March 2012) THE IMPACT OF VISUAL EFFECTS IN 3D MOVIE 13 Online Journal of Art and Design, volume 1, issue 2, 2013 The way of seeing images needs to be justified in order to give people an opportunity to stop and think about the specifics of how the brain perceives what our eye see (Brinkmann, 2008:15). Visual effects can enhance the audience understanding on each scene displayed on the screen due to its ability to bring it to life. Hanson (2006) in his slide presentation stated that FX Animation Brings Life, Believability to Static Scene. Normally visual effects combined live action and cell animation to enhance or simulate the real scene. Hu (2010) stated that successful visual effects often depend on the careful manipulation and seamless integration of elements with live action background environments. However due to the advancement of the technology VFx can be applied in animation through 2D and 3D computer graphic tools that involved painting, image warping, digital compositing, image processing, modeling, animation and rendering (Hu, 2010) OBJECTIVES This study intends to observe part of the process in applying visual effects in part of the scene a short 3D movie. It also intends to analyze the roles of environment design in relation to the character involved. By observing and analyzing both items will help us to identify the effective and fastest way to produce the final rendered images, hence will speed up part of our production process. The final outcome from the process will give a great impact on the audience especially in viewing quality images on the screen. RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1. Are the visual effects on the scene sufficient to support the environment design and the character to display its role? 2. What are the effective approaches in reducing the process of applying visual effects in the scene? METHODOLOGY In this study, psychographic research is used to identify and measure the audience perception on the impact of visual effects on the character and the whole scene. Edris, & Meidan (1998:24) stated that, “literature of consumer research over last 20 years is identifying the relative importance of a number of psychographic dimension that might best explain the variation in a given aspect of consumer behavior (e.g. product user status, brand loyalty patterns, brand choice behaviors, TV viewing habits and so forth)”. The intention is to observe and identify visual effects among the audience. Is it sufficient to support the environmental design and the character displayed? 14 Online Journal of Art and Design, volume 1, issue 2, 2013 Two hundred (200) students who have undergone three (3) courses; Motion Graphic, 3D Animation and Digital Illustration and Art and Creative Technology are involved in this study. They are asked to give responses on three main areas on psychographic variables (Activities, Interest, Opinions (AIOs) (Edris & Meidan, 1998) in an online survey in surveymonkey.com. The images of the environments and the character involved in the intended scene are included in the instrument. The roles of the character are explained clearly in the instrument reflecting the roles of the character. Both images of the environments and the character are then analyzed using descriptive analysis. Cross tabulation are also used to observe the association of the environment and the character. It will also observe the roles between two characters. RESEARCH DESIGN The instrument is designed based on Edris & Meidan (1998). One of nine key areas in psychographic variables, i.e. Activities, Interest, Opinions (AIOs) is used as main variables to gain data on audience perception on character design and images on visual effects (still and moving images). FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION Demographic Chart 1 show the distribution of respondents (in percentage). Most of the respondents are from the age group of 21–29 years old (57.8%, n=37), followed by age group of 18– 20 years (29.7%, n=19) and age group 30-39 years (10.9%, n=7). Only 1.6% (n=1) falls in the 50-59 years age group. 15 Online Journal of Art and Design, volume 1, issue 2, 2013 Chart 1. Distribution of Respondents according to Age. Audience Activities and Interest Table 1 shows movie preferred by the respondents. Most of the respondents preferred Motion Pictures with visual effects (59.4%, n=38) followed by full 3D animation movie (26.6%, n=17) and Film (14.1%, n=9). Table 1. Movie preference Movie preference % n 3D animation movie (full 3D animated) 26.6% 17 Motion Picture (with Visual Effects (VFx) 59.4% 38 Film 14.1% 9 Total 64 skipped question 1 Most of the respondent likes fantasy movie (34.4%, n=22) followed by adventurous movie (29.7%, n=19). They seems not to like thriller and true story (12.5%, n=8) followed by history movie (6.3%, n=4) and science fiction (4.7%, n=3). Table 2. Theme of the movie the audience like most. Theme of the movie % n History 6.3% 4 Thriller 12.5% 8 16 Online Journal of Art and Design, volume 1, issue 2, 2013 Adventurous 29.7% 19 Fantasy 34.4% 22 True Story 12.5% 8 Science Fiction 4.7% 3 Total 64 skipped question 1 Amongst the respondents, who are to produce movie, their interest focuses on visual effect (VFx) (21.9%, n=14) followed by character design (18.8%, n=12), script writing (15.6%, n=10) and environment design (14.1%, n=9).